Golf

Lee Westwood makes strong move with 65 at KLM Open

Pádraig Harrington and Paul Dunne both on level par after completing second rounds

Pádraig Harrington hits his second shot on the sixth hole during day two of the KLM Open in Spijk, Netherlands. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Fri Sep 15 2017 - 20:40

Lee Westwood moved into contention at the KLM Open with a bogey-free second round of 65 which left him three strokes off the lead at the halfway stage.

Westwood hit six birdies to finish on seven under par on a day when clubhouse leader Joel Stalter added a 67 to his opening round 65 to emerge as the clear leader.

With bad weather having caused an early suspension of play on Thursday, organisers struggled to catch up, with half the field unable to complete their second rounds due to darkness.

Rookie Stalter is now in a strong position to claim his first European Tour title, one stroke ahead of Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, with German Sebastian Heisele a further stroke back.

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Stalter carded seven birdies as he completed his opening round early on Friday morning, with his solitary blemish coming with a bogey on the final hole.

The Dutchman recovered to produce an increasingly strong showing in the second round, overhauling Aphibarnrat’s lead with a run of six birdies in 10 holes.

Stalter told the Tour’s official website: “I played really solid – it was tough at the beginning. I gave up two shots but then I really got it back strong.

“It’s too bad because I maybe could have had a couple more birdies at the end but it was a really good round and I’m really proud of myself because it was a really long day.

“I’ve been in this situation before so I know what to expect for the weekend, but the goal is to be on top of the leaderboard on Sunday.”

Pádraig Harrington and Paul Dunne both had long days on the course after the weather delay on Thursday.

Harrington started and ended the day on level par after continuing his first round on the sixth hole. He completed a one-over 72 before adding a one-under 71 to sit in a share of 54th position.

Dunne started back on the fourth hole but a poor back nine of 40 saw him sign for a three-over 74. He bounced back well in his second round, carding six birdies in a three-under 68 to get back to level.

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